It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of winter. However, I’m also no fan of excessive whining and complaining. I’ve given this whole winter thing a lot of thought and come up with a plan. Here is how I intend to not only survive but actually thrive this winter.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Life With Dee!

10 Ways to Survive and Thrive This Winter

1. Light Lamp

I am sensitive to light levels and found that my mood is better in the winter with regular use of supplemental lighting. I bought this portable light a couple of years ago and it really does seem to help. I keep it on the table next to my chair in the library and turn it on during my morning ritual time.

2. Vitamin D:

Many of us are deficient in vitamin D, especially in the winter and some studies show a link between low levels and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). My doctor tested my levels a couple of years ago and found I was pretty severely deficient. I have been on prescription supplements ever since which have been gradually getting my levels closer to normal. Talk to your doctor if you think this might be an issue for you.

3. Exercise:

It’s all too easy to let exercise slide when the weather gets cold. I mean, really, wouldn’t you just rather curl up with a cozy blanket and cup of tea and watch Netflix? But regular exercise is important and the endorphins produced are mood elevators. My treadmill and I are going to be very good friends this winter.

4. Self-care:

I have access to a gym with an indoor swimming pool and sauna. I feel so much better after a nice swim and 10 minutes or so in the sauna. I’m also going to schedule monthly massages.

5. Daily Rituals:

I’m a big fan of rituals. I’ve been fine-tuning my morning and evening rituals this past year. A change of seasons is a good time to evaluate your rituals and determine if any changes could be made to better suit the season. For instance, if you’ve been enjoying your morning cup of coffee on the patio determine how that will change when it gets too cold to sit outside.

6. Create a Sanctuary:

A few years ago I had spent countless hours enjoying our front porch throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Porch time had become a necessary part of my day and I was loathe to give that up as the weather turned chilly. That’s when I turned our library into my personal sanctuary. Until that time the room wasn’t used all that much. I did play the piano and occasionally we’d entertain drop in guests in there. It’s the first room off the entry hall and was always tidy (because it wasn’t used much!).

I decided to make this “my space”. I have a chair and ottoman with a quilt I can pull up over my legs. My Morning Basket sits beside the chair and I’ve added a number of items to personalize the room. I nearly always have fresh flowers in there, as well as candles and twinkle lights.

You may not have an entire room you can claim but perhaps there’s a corner somewhere? At a minimum you need a comfortable chair and a place within reach to set a cup of tea or coffee. Look for ways to make it special and then include time there in your daily routines. In no time at all this little space will become a source of peace and comfort.

7. Learn Something New:

Winter is a great time to learn something. Take a class in your community or find something online. There are countless opportunities to learn these days. I’ve been wanting to learn how to crochet the past few years. I have crochet hooks and yarn. Perhaps this will be the winter I actually put them to use.

8. Work on a Project:

Is there something you’ve been meaning to do but keep putting it off? Ticking a big project or several little ones off your mental list will give you a sense of accomplishment. Clean out your files, organize a closet, redecorate a room, or put old photos in albums. That last is high on my list for this winter. I have a huge box of photos which are already in chronological order and simply need to be put in albums.

9. Do Something Creative:

Write a story, paint a picture, practice a musical instrument, color in an adult coloring book, create a new recipe…the options are endless.

10. Keep Warm:

Make sure you have plenty of socks, cozy sweaters, gloves and other outerwear suitable for your climate. Consider a small space heater to plug in near your desk or favorite chair for extra warmth. Enjoy warm drinks and hot baths. Add an extra blanket or better yet, a fluffy down comforter to your bed.

With a little planning I’m fairly certain I can do more than simply endure winter. With the right attitude maybe I’ll even enjoy it. Okay, that might be taking it a bit too far but at least there’s always springtime to look forward to!

Fall is a time to begin turning inward. The days get shorter and the temperatures drop. As we begin to spend more time indoors, making our homes warm and cozy becomes a priority. For me, a self-professed summer girl, making my home extra cozy for fall is one way I make the best of this change in seasons.

Let’s take a look at some ways we can make our home a sanctuary for fall.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Life With Dee!

Candles

Of course we can use candles year round but when it’s 90 degrees outside and it stays light until 9 p.m. I’m just not inclined to light candles all that often. But chilly mornings or evenings after the sun has gone down? Several lit candles can be quite cheering. I indulged in a few new candles yesterday, myself.

Twinkle lights

Fairy lights, Christmas lights…whatever you call them. Strings of tiny white (or colored) lights can make a room look festive. I have a strand around the window over my kitchen sink, a new addition last Christmas which I opted to keep up year round. I have several strands in our family room, one over our bed and in our library I chose tiny purple lights. This is such an inexpensive way to add a little cheer to a room.

Cozy blankets or throws

One of the first things I like to do at the beginning of the fall season is to gather all of our blankets, throws, quilts and afghans and wash them. I then make sure there is one within reach of all seating in our house, plus a neatly folded stack in a huge basket by the fire place.

Throw pillows

I have blue and white striped pillows on our sofas for spring and summer. I exchange those for pillows which suit the fall season better. I’d like to add a few more to my collection. I’m in the market for a couple of down-filled pillows for extra comfort when taking an afternoon snooze on the sofa.

Fall scents

There are a number of ways to add the scent of fall to your home. While the usual air fresheners are not terribly healthy (and often play havoc with my asthma), there are still ways to make my home smell good. One of my favorites is to simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peels. I sometimes do this on my stove but the better method is to use my tiny crockpot. This avoids the possibility of allowing all the water to simmer away and burn your pan. Yes, I’ve done this more than once.

Another option is to use an essential oil diffuser. I finally bought one recently and I love it! I keep it in my kitchen and often turn it on in the afternoon so the house smells good when David gets home. If you don’t have a diffuser you can use a small glass jar (or a shot glass works well) on a candle warmer. Fill it with water and add a few drops of essential oil. It’s not quite as effective as a diffuser but this is the method I used for years.

Puzzles or games

As we begin to spend more time at home, it’s a good idea to make plans for doing something other than just watching television. I love to set up a card table in the corner of the family room and start a puzzle. Board games can also be a fun way to spend an evening at home. We have a really nice Scrabble board which will take up residence on our large square coffee table soon. Pull out a few games or set out a deck of cards.

Coffee/tea/hot cocoa station

Fall is the perfect time to set up a hot drink station in your kitchen. We have our coffee grinder and electric tea kettle, plus containers for tea and coffee set up year round. However, as the temperatures dip I like to spruce it up a bit and add hot cocoa fixings (mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, peppermint sticks). I’m currently trying to find the right size cup hooks so I can hang some mugs from the upper cabinet over this area.

Here are some great ideas for setting up your own hot beverage station:

Down comforter

There is nothing quite so cozy as sleeping under a down comforter. We have had one for nearly 25 years now. It began losing feathers a couple of years ago and it’s now beyond repair. We decided this past spring when I removed it for the summer that we would need to purchase a new one. This is the one I’m looking at:

Hearty soups on the menu

I love all the fresh summer produce and lighter meals but come autumn, hearty soups chock full of cool weather veggies really hit the spot. A big pot of soup simmering on the stove is such a warm and homey touch. I’m making gumbo tonight so keep an eye on the blog for the recipe which I’ll share soon.

Bake bread or cookies

It’s a well-known realtor tip for home sellers to bake bread or cookies just prior to a showing. Nothing says “home” quite like the yeasty smell of fresh baked bread or the sweet aroma of cookies just out of the oven. Here are a couple of my recipes:

Boots/sweaters/umbrellas

Cold and rainy weather can be very uncomfortable but proper outdoor gear can help. One of the things that made a huge difference for me was investing in a really good pair of rain boots. I bought them a size too big so I can step into them easily. I keep them by the door so I can slip them on when I take Shiloh for walks. I have this waterproof tray to put boots in:

I also finally bought a freestanding coat rack last year. We don’t have a coat closet so there was no handy place to hang coats or sweaters. In addition to coats, I keep a couple of sweaters on it during cool weather – a lightweight one in case I’m a little chilly in the house and a thick warm one for quick trips outdoors when it’s not quite cold enough for a coat. We also keep a few scarves, Shiloh’s leash and an umbrella or two hanging on the coat rack.

One thing I’m on the lookout for right now is an umbrella stand. We have a couple of very large umbrellas which we use when walking Shiloh in the rain. These aren’t the collapsible type so I need something to put them in rather than just keeping them on the porch.

Music

Music isn’t just for certain seasons, obviously. However, it’s one more way to add to a homey ambience. I often play music while cooking dinner. David and I also love to spend an evening in our library playing albums.

Fire pit

There is nothing quite like sitting by a fire on a cool evening. If you have a fire pit be sure to lay in a supply of firewood. We are surrounded by woods so we can just gather up some fallen branches. Pick up a bag or two of marshmallows for a fun treat. Add a box of graham crackers and some chocolate bars for s’mores!

Fireplace

If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove you are well on your way to a cozy room. If you don’t cut your own wood make plans to order some soon. This is going on my list for next week! We don’t depend on wood to heat our home (unless we lose power during an ice storm) but there is nothing as cheerful as a roaring fire on a cold night.

Lamps

Lighting can go a long way toward making a room cosy. If you only have overhead lighting consider adding a lamp or two to your main living areas. We have three lamps and several strands of twinkle lights in our family room. I love to turn off the overhead lighting and just use the lamps and twinkle lights in the evening while watching TV or for parties. It really gives the room a nice warm ambience.

Put some lights on timers

And speaking of lighting, here is an idea I plan to implement: Get a couple of timers and plug lamps into them. Set the timers to go on at dusk. I hate coming home to a totally dark house. When I’m home I make a point of making sure the porch light is on as well as a few lights in the front rooms of the house before David comes home. I think this just adds to that feeling of sanctuary when coming home after a long day.

Scanners love to read and write, to fix and invent things, to design projects and businesses, to cook and sing, and to create the perfect dinner party. (You’ll notice I didn’t use the word “or,”because Scanners don’t love to do one thing or the other; they love them all.)

I’ll never forget how excited I was when I first heard about scanners. That’s me! I am interested in so. Many. Things.

writing/blogging

music

art

architecture

interior design

cooking

literature

medicine

health and nutrition

all things French

New Orleans

films

politics

gardening

homesteading

green living and the environment

homemaking

productivity

style and fashion

history

yoga

meditation

travel

And the list goes on. And on.

It can be hard for me to focus on any one thing for long because I’m constantly getting ideas for something else I want to do or learn or practice. No, I’m not A.D.D. and I can make myself finish whatever task is at hand. But there in the back of my mind are little thoughts flitting around like fireflies.

Hey, I should start a podcast!

I wonder if I can find a good YouTube video to teach me how to crochet.

I should sign up for an online course on philosophy.

I could put together a resource page about (any number of topics) for the blog.

And speaking of this blog…conventional wisdom is that bloggers should select a fairly specific niche and stick to it. Well, that’s just not going to happen here. While I do have a general focus on “creating a beautiful life”, I feel like that’s broad enough to include most anything I’m interested in. That’s why you’ll find recipes, homemaking tips, music, travel, books, and many other topics covered here. I realize that not everyone who reads Life With Dee will share all of my interests but most people ought to be interested in at least a few. And for those who prefer a narrow, single-topic blog there are many of those out there so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one or more which better suit them.

There was a time when people like me were admired. Consider Leonardo Da Vinci, the ultimate Renaissance man. While he is best known as an artist, he was also a scientist and an inventor.

An emphasis on liberal arts used to be a respected part of a university education but today many believe there should be a tighter focus on the skills which will lead to a job. And that’s not unreasonable considering the skyrocketing costs of college.

Of course we need people with a laser-like focus and the ability to reach high levels of expertise in their fields. Hedgehogs, if you will.

Still, there’s something to be said for foxes – those of us who seek knowledge and experience in a wide range of pursuits. And not just because we make great Trivial Pursuit partners. I found it very helpful when homeschooling my kids, especially since they both exhibit scanner tendencies, too. In fact, that is part of the reason we drifted into unschooling territory. We all simply found life way too interesting to be happy with any one curriculum source.

I think the reason I love blogging so much is because I can learn something new every day and there are so many aspects to it:

writing

web design

social media

graphic design

marketing

research

And so much more. I’m grateful every day that I am able to indulge my Renaissance soul and that y’all have decided to come along for the ride.

So, what about you? Are you a hedgehog or a fox?

~~~~~

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” – John Burroughs

We are probably all familiar with the idea of keeping a gratitude journal. Back in 1995, Sarah Ban Breathnach published the book that started it all – Simple Abundance. She shared it with Oprah and the rest is history.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Life With Dee!

Keeping a Gratitude Journal

I’m all about anything which helps me “create a beautiful life”. I honestly believe that, to a large extent, we find what we look for. If we begin each day looking for things to be grateful for we will find them. That’s why the practice of journaling can make such a big difference in our daily experience. Just knowing that you’ll be writing one or more things you are grateful for in a journal makes you more aware of the good things you encounter throughout the day.

Scientists and psychologists have actually studied gratitude and found that intentional gratitude can significantly increase personal well-being.

Resources

Books about gratitude, journals and apps…here is a brief list of resources to help you get started on your gratitude journey.

The Book that began it all

Other Books about Gratitude

Gratitude Journals

There are many ways to keep a gratitude journal. Any blank notebook will do and I’ve heard of people who write their daily gratitudes on index cards. But sometimes it’s fun to have a pretty journal or a book designed specifically for gratitude journaling.

Do you set goals for yourself? If so, are you making progress on your goals? Setting and achieving your goals can be quite a challenge but it’s something I’m really working on.

Probably the most important step in achieving one’s goals is to write them down. There are any number of ways to do this but one fun way is to enter your goals on the Day Zero Project site. You select 101 goals to complete in 1001 days, enter them and then check them off as you do each one.

I did this back in 2008 and while I didn’t complete them all (quite frankly, I forgot all about it a few months into it) I did eventually do 32 of them.

Let’s take a closer look at setting and achieving your goals.

Setting and Achieving Your Goals

One of the most important life skills I learned in nursing school was how to set goals. We learned this in regards to nursing goals and outcomes but it applies to any type of goal. You may well be familiar with SMART goals but if not, here’s a quick overview:

S – specific M- measurable A- attainable R- realistic T- time based

A goal, whether it be related to patient care or a personal goal, needs to be:

Specific – “I will go to bed by 11 p.m.” not “I want to go to bed earlier.”

Realistic – It’s probably not realistic to set a goal that you will lost 50 pounds in one month.

Time based – A goal should have a time frame in which to complete it.

It’s important to record your goals somewhere and that’s where Day Zero comes in. It’s free and not only does it allow you to record and keep track of your goals, you can also see other people’s goals which can inspire some of your own.

You may notice that you can only see 100 of the 101 goals. Day Zero allows you to make some of your goals private which is a nice feature. We all need a little something in our lives that no one else knows about. I debated about making a few other goals private but decided to be open and share them with you. Gulp.

Some of these goals don’t really fit the SMART goals guidelines. For instance, a few are blog-related number goals. Technically I can’t control the number of hits to my blog — the goal should be more along the lines of the actions I will take to reach those goals. But for the sake of this list I went with the outcome I desire.

You will also notice that there is no order to the list. I just filled them in as I thought of them over the course of a couple of days. I printed out a copy and my next task is to categorize them in a few ways.

By topic (home, personal, relationship, etc.)

Time required

Priority

I will then make reminder cards for long term goals which require daily attention (writing a book, fitness, etc.) to place where I’ll see them often.

Then I’ll choose 3-5 goals to work on at a time and write those in my planner.

I’m also going to put a reminder on the first day of each month in my planner to read my whole list, check off the ones I’ve done and evaluate my progress on the bigger goals.

Finally, I’ve teamed up with an accountability partner for my number one goal – writing a book. I highly recommend you find someone to share your goals with…someone who will help keep you accountable.

Now it’s your turn. You don’t have to come up with a list of 101 things, although it’s actually kind of fun to dream big. If that seems daunting to you, choose the number that feels right to you. Find someplace to record them, create a plan to work on them and if possible, find an accountability partner.

Before you know it you’ll be putting a checkmark by each one on your list and thinking of the next set of goals you’d like to tackle.

If you do decide to make a list on the Day Zero site I’d love to see it. The site is set up so you can follow people. Feel free to follow me and I’ll follow you back. Just leave me a comment with the link to your profile.

One was to attend an afternoon movie all by myself. Yesterday morning when I realized that our local theater was doing a special 25th anniversary showing of Thelma and Louise I knew I had found my opportunity. Not only do I love the movie but it brings back memories of a fun road trip with my friend, Roz. Minus the whole “driving off a cliff and dying” part.

So despite a lengthy to-do list I decided to go. I did the absolute essentials – the rest could wait. It was a 2 p.m. showing so I skipped lunch at home and enjoyed my favorite theater treats – Raisinettes and buttery popcorn instead. I love the combination of sweet chocolate and salty popcorn. Yum!

This was the first time I’d ever done this but it won’t be my last. I had a wonderful time! I wasn’t sure if I’d feel awkward going to a movie alone but I didn’t. There were very few people there in the afternoon now that school is back in session. And there were only three other people watching Thelma and Louise. It was awesome! No one kicking the back of my seat. Nobody in front blocking my view (I seem to attract the tallest person in the place to the seat in front of me for every movie, concert, ballet, musical, etc.).

I’ve recently done a few other things alone that aren’t usually thought of as solitary pursuits.

I went to the Matisse exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art. This was actually the third time I’ve gone to the museum alone in the past year. I bought myself an annual pass so I would feel free to stop by whenever I’m in the city for something else. I’ve come to love being alone to view art at my own pace.

Instead of grabbing fast food in the car on my way home from a conference in the city, I went to a sit-down restaurant. I ordered delicious fish tacos and a side salad which I enjoyed so much more than a drive-thru burger.

I had a drink in a hotel bar alone. While in the city for the aforementioned conference, I decided to go downstairs to the hotel bar for a drink. I could have taken it to my room but I’ve been trying to get outside my comfort zone lately so I sat at the bar instead. It was a Monday night and there were only a couple of other people there. The television was tuned to the Olympics so it really wasn’t that uncomfortable to just sip my drink and watch the diving events.

Now, I’m sure some of you are thinking these things are no big deal. But according to my research, a LOT of people are uncomfortable doing social things alone. In fact, there’s even a research study on this topic:

The upshot seems to be that while we may worry that others will think we are “losers” for doing these things alone, most people aren’t paying any attention to us one way or the other. And more importantly, it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

The obvious takeaway:

If you want to see a movie don’t miss out just because you don’t have someone to go with you.

The less obvious lesson:

But what about doing these things alone occasionally even when you DO have a spouse or partner who would go if you asked? In some ways I think that might be even more important. In a longterm, committed relationship it’s all too easy to get in the habit of doing all social activities with one’s partner and start to lose sight of who you are as an individual.

There’s something to be said for maintaining your own private life. I think David was a little surprised last night when I told him what I had done. After 40 years together, that’s a good thing. A bit of mystery can add a healthy bit of spark to a relationship.

Do you go to the movies alone? What about to a restaurant or other activities we usually consider social? Are you comfortable alone or does it make you feel awkward? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

~~~~~

Last night we met dear friends for dinner. The restaurant is in a charming old house in a little town about 45 minutes away. None of us had eaten there before but we had heard great things about it.

We had a truly lovely evening. The restaurant was very cosy and personal. The food was delicious and the server was a very sweet young girl. My only complaint was something I encounter way too often in American restaurants – we were rushed through the courses.

The men had finished their salads but we ladies were still eating ours when the main course was brought out. The table was small with no room for extra plates so our salads were whisked away. And then later, with fully half of my food still on my plate we were asked if we’d like dessert.

This was not a busy chain restaurant with a line of people waiting for a table. In fact, there was only one other party of diners in the restaurant at the time and we were at least 2 hours from the stated closing time. As I mentioned, the waitress was truly sweet and I honestly don’t think she was trying to get us to hurry up and leave. On the contrary, I think she was just trying to be very attentive.

Let’s contrast last night’s dinner (and the vast majority of my dining experiences in the United States) with our experience in France:

In France it is expected that a table is yours for the entire evening. There is none of this business of quickly turning tables throughout the evening. Part of that is the fact servers are paid full wages in France and tips are not an expected part of their compensation. But even more so, the French take dining seriously and cannot comprehend why one would rush the process.

One of my very favorite parts of my time in Paris were the leisurely meals. Most were served in at least three courses and never once were we brought the next course before we had completely finished the current one. In fact, there was usually a delay of several minutes between taking away one set of plates and bringing out the next. And never once was David’s empty plate removed until I was through as well. I’ve been a slow eater my whole life and I cannot begin to tell you how uncomfortable it is to finish my meal after everyone else’s plates have been removed. It’s so awkward. Sometimes I’ve had David purposely leave at least one bite on his plate and hold his fork so a server won’t take his plate until I am done.

And being asked if we want dessert when only half way through the main course? One of my biggest pet peeves. How do I even know if I will want dessert at that point? Last night I actually spoke up and politely told the server that I’d like to finish my meal before we decided about dessert.

This post isn’t a diatribe about American restaurant service, though. It’s really a much bigger issue. Our society is in such a rush about everything. We want what we want immediately and never want to wait for anything. Any sort of delay is seen as a waste of time.

But what would happen if we slowed down a bitand actually savored not only our meals but our lives?

Last week I had reached my limit of overwhelm and decided to take Friday off. I planned ahead so I had very few things I had to do that day. Instead of my usual lengthy to-do list, I spent most of the day doing just what I wanted. I slept about 30 or 40 minutes later than usual. I read from a couple of books and enjoyed thumbing through a magazine I had bought a couple of weeks ago yet never looked at. I played the piano. I fixed myself a nice lunch and enjoyed it at the table instead of in front of my computer. I fixed a delicious dinner and we didn’t go anywhere. It was a beautiful day and a reminder of the importance of slowing down and simply enjoying life now and then.

Rather than rushing from one activity to the next what would happen if we purposely set aside time to just “be”? To sit on the porch and listen to music. To take 20 minutes in the afternoon for a cup of tea. To look at the stars before going to bed.

I know we all have busy lives but perhaps it’s time to rethink our obligations and our approach to live. We need to give ourselves some breathing room. Take some time to do something we enjoy. Or maybe just sit, stare off into space and do absolutely nothing.

I’m no longer even surprised when I receive confirmation of something I’ve been wrestling with. I already had today’s post planned when I received an email with the link to this podcast this morning:

See? The “Universe” just served up a little a little reminder that I’m on the right track. Life is too short to spend it on a hamster wheel of activity. Every once in awhile you simply must hop off and allow your spirit to be revived.

There is something rather romantic about a picnic. At least in theory. The reality may include the proverbial ants or other challenges of combining food and the great outdoors but somehow the charm of dining al fresco remains.

Movie:

“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed breathlessly, “there’s going to be a Sunday-school picnic next week–in Mr. Harmon Andrews’s field, right near the lake of Shining Waters. And Mrs. Superintendent Bell and Mrs. Rachel Lynde are going to make ice cream–think of it, Marilla–ice cream! And, oh, Marilla, can I go to it?”

A beautiful day starts with an intentional morning ritual. This is something I’ve been working on for quite awhile. My morning ritual isn’t perfect yet but I’m making progress.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Dee’s Morning Ritual

This is what my morning looks like when all goes well…which is about once a week. But hey, you’ve got to start somewhere.

Set daily intention before getting out of bed

I take a few minutes while still lying in bed to think about my day. I consider the specific challenges ahead and then decide on my focus for the day. For instance, today’s focus phrase was “steady and productive”. I had a lengthy to-do list which I really wanted to power through because I’m planning to take Friday off. That’s right. I’m going to cross something off my Summer Fun list and spend the entire day just reading!

Turn back the bed covers

I make the bed every day but I let it air first. I turn the covers back, move the pillows and lightly spray the sheets with my homemade lavender linen spray.

Go downstairs, weigh myself and drink a glass of water

I haven’t been drinking enough water lately so I’m making an effort to include more in my daily routine. I know some recommend only weighing once a week but I feel like I get a better sense of what affects my weight if I monitor it daily. FYI: eating a banana split as a late-night dinner isn’t a good idea if you’re watching your weight.

Take my hot tea to the library

My sweet husband makes my tea for me every morning and puts it in an insulated Klean Kanteen so it stays hot. I take it and one of my china cups and saucers to the library, get comfy in my chair and finish the rest of my morning ritual.

Meditate

I’ve been rather hit-or-miss with this but I find when I meditate consistently, my days go better. I may do a group challenge soon so stay tuned.

~~~~~

If you’re interested in creating a morning routine which works for you and sets you up for having a beautiful and productive day, I can’t say enough about Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Mornings course. I’ve gone through it twice already and am going to do it again soon. If this sounds like something you might be interested in click below for more information or to purchase.

I also recommend the Make Over Your Evenings course. I don’t promote anything here on Life With Dee unless I stand behind it 100%. I’ve purchased both of these courses myself and highly recommend them.

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~ Annie Dillard

Would you like to create a better day? Do you race through your days putting out fires, handling the urgent but with little time for the important? We all have days like that but when it becomes the norm rather than the exception, it’s time to take a step back and reconsider. As Annie Dillard’s quote illustrates, our days add up to our lives. I, for one, don’t want to look back someday and view my life as one giant to-do list being frantically checked off.

This is probably not the time for me to even write this post. This week has been hellaciously busy. I had three meetings on Wednesday alone. Last night I had a board meeting and then met up with David for a local music event we help organize each month. I don’t even want to admit how long it’s been since I vacuumed my house (two weeks? three?).

But maybe that’s why I DO need to share this now. For myself, as much as for my readers. David and I were talking yesterday, quickly running through all the various local events we are working on and filling each other in on the parts we each have been working on. He was at work and had to put me on hold three times to answer phone calls. I had just come home from picking up my monthly co-op order and running a few errands so I was putting things away while we talked. We agreed that we will take some time just for us as soon as this very busy month is over. We have scheduled live music for nine events this month, including a city-wide festival. If I’m counting correctly, that’s 22 live music slots we’ve filled. And I create Facebook events, graphics and flyers for all of these, as well as doing social media sharing for all. It’s been totally nuts.

When life is crazy it’s all the more important to make time for a few touchstones in your day. Time to slow down, enjoy the moment and remember why you are doing all this. So let’s take a look at 5 ways we can do just that.

5 Ways to Create a Better Day

Morning Ritual

The way we begin our morning has a huge impact on the rest of the day. Beginning the day with a simple, pleasant morning ritual starts the day off on a happy note. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A cup of tea or coffee enjoyed in a leisurely fashion might be all you need, or have time for. But you can also take it up a notch with a full-fledged morning ritual taking an hour or more to indulge in several things that make you feel as though you have nourished yourself well before taking on the world. This is what I’m aiming for with My Morning Basket. It hasn’t become a habit yet but I’m working on it.

Meditation/Prayer/Quiet Time

Daily life can be hectic and it’s all too easy to get caught up in the rush. Set aside time each day to step back from all the ruckus and just get quiet. You can meditate, pray or just sit quietly for a few minutes. I’ve found that the more I meditate the more of this quiet I crave. My mind is a busy, busy place most of the time and just as our bodies need rest, so do our brains. Even five minutes can make a difference in your day.

Afternoon Teatime

You know how I feel about my afternoon teatime, right? It’s my very favorite ritual. When I am planning my day I always plan for a break at around 4 p.m. to brew a perfect cup of tea and enjoy a little break. If you are working outside the home you may very well not be able to have a formal 4 p.m. tea break. But do try to find some time late afternoon or early evening to take a little break of some sort.

Perhaps you’d like to share a cocktail with your spouse immediately after work before you start dinner. As a kid I was always fascinated by the way Darren and Samantha did this in Bewitched. My family were teetotalers so this seemed rather exotic to me. A few years ago I set up a little bar area in our library for this very reason. I thought it would be nice to share a drink with David in our library when he first got home from work. We could sit and chat about our days before I started cooking dinner. It hasn’t happened yet but you never know.

Count Your Blessings

Studies show that the practice of gratitude has many positive benefits. Many people keep gratitude journals and that’s an excellent practice. You can do this in any number of ways. There are even apps for this. You can do it first thing in the morning, mid-day or in the evening. Personally I think evening is a good choice. If you know that you will be writing down your gratitudes before you go to bed you’ll be more likely to stay mindful during the day, looking for things to write later. And as they say, you tend to find what you seek.

Plan the next day

I believe that a good day starts the night before. Don’t wait until the morning rush to try to make a to-do list or plan your day. Take a few minutes the night before to plan the next day. There are many ways to do this. I use a full sheet of paper to map out my day. This paper is divide into categories and includes such things as our dinner plans, anything I need to purchase, people I need to contact, household tasks and work-related items. I make sure to check my planner for any meetings, appointments or other scheduled events.

I also include a few things I want to do just for myself such as playing the piano, practicing my French or reading. By planning the night before my mind is freed from all those to-dos buzzing around in my head. Well, theoretically. As I said, my mind is a busy place but this really does help.

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Do you do any of these things on a regular basis? If you have other suggestions I’d love to hear them. Leave me a comment and we’ll discuss.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Morning and evening routines can make a HUGE difference in your daily life. If you feel like your mornings and/or evenings could use an overhaul, I highly recommend these online courses by Crystal Paine:

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Welcome to Life With Dee!
I'm a Francophile with a hippie heart, trying to create a beautiful life in the country while dreaming of Paris. Join me as I share inspiration to help you create your own "beautiful life".